Monasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl: Difference between revisions
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Atlatlauhcan is a town in the state of [[Morelos]] where an [[augustinian]] [[convent]] was built between 1570 and 1600. The [[church]] is preceded by a large [[atrium]] with two small [[chapel]]s; the [[facade]] of the temple has a bell gable above. There is an open [[chapel]] to the left, behind which a high tower was constructed. It has a [[portico]] that leads to the [[cloister]] whose [[Vault (architecture)|vault]]s are decorated with hexagonal [[coffer]]ing that are painted with [[frescoes]]. |
Atlatlauhcan is a town in the state of [[Morelos]] where an [[augustinian]] [[convent]] was built between 1570 and 1600. The [[church]] is preceded by a large [[atrium]] with two small [[chapel]]s; the [[facade]] of the temple has a bell gable above. There is an open [[chapel]] to the left, behind which a high tower was constructed. It has a [[portico]] that leads to the [[cloister]] whose [[Vault (architecture)|vault]]s are decorated with hexagonal [[coffer]]ing that are painted with [[frescoes]]. |
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== Yecapixtla == |
== Augustinian and franciscan convent of Yecapixtla == |
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[[Image:Yecapixtlaconvent.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Side view of the [[convent]]]] |
[[Image:Yecapixtlaconvent.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Side view of the [[convent]]]] |
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Yecapixtla is a municipality in the state of [[Morelos]]. The [[franciscan]]s came in 1525 and built a modest [[chapel]] which was later replaced with the imposing convent-fortress whose construction was led by the [[augustinian]] Jorge de Avila. The [[church]] is preceded by an [[atrium]] in which there are [[chapel]]s. |
Yecapixtla is a municipality in the state of [[Morelos]]. The [[franciscan]]s came in 1525 and built a modest [[chapel]] which was later replaced with the imposing convent-fortress whose construction was led by the [[augustinian]] Jorge de Avila. The [[church]] is preceded by an [[atrium]] in which there are [[chapel]]s. |
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The [[facade]] of the [[church]] is sober and beautiful; the decoration includes [[cherub]]im and floral motifs. It has a [[Gothic architecture|gothic]] [[rose window]] above the [[plateresque]] [[facade]] which is sorrounded by well carved mouldings. Below the small [[pediment]] that crowns the [[facade]] there is a symbol that resembles the five wounds [[Saint Francis of Assisi]] recieved and that represent those [[Christ]] suffered during the [[Crucifixion]]; another symbol that shows arrows through a heart lies to the left which represents the [[Augustinian Order]]. The [[church]] has a stone carved [[pulpit]] that dates from the sixteenth century and a [[gothic]] [[cupola]] with ribs. The [[cloister]] has vigorous columns that support the arches. |
The [[facade]] of the [[church]] is sober and beautiful; the decoration includes [[cherub]]im and floral motifs. It has a [[Gothic architecture|gothic]] [[rose window]] above the [[plateresque]] [[facade]] which is sorrounded by well carved mouldings. Below the small [[pediment]] that crowns the [[facade]] there is a symbol that resembles the five wounds [[Saint Francis of Assisi]] recieved and that represent those [[Christ]] suffered during the [[Crucifixion]]; another symbol that shows arrows through a heart lies to the left which represents the [[Augustinian Order]]. The [[church]] has a stone carved [[pulpit]] that dates from the sixteenth century and a [[gothic]] [[cupola]] with ribs. The [[cloister]] has vigorous columns that support the arches. |
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== Huejotzingo == |
== Franciscan convent of Huejotzingo == |
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[[Image:HUEJOTZINGO2.JPG|thumb|225px|Entrance to the [[convent]]]] |
[[Image:HUEJOTZINGO2.JPG|thumb|225px|Entrance to the [[convent]]]] |
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Huejotzingo belongs to the state of [[Puebla]] and is 2 1000 meters above sea level, where one of the most beautiful [[franciscan]] [[convent]]s is located. This [[convent]] dates back to the sixteenth century. The colonial city started to grow from 1529, around the [[franciscan]] [[convent]] whose construction probably began in the same year and was completed around 1570. |
Huejotzingo belongs to the state of [[Puebla]] and is 2 1000 meters above sea level, where one of the most beautiful [[franciscan]] [[convent]]s is located. This [[convent]] dates back to the sixteenth century. The colonial city started to grow from 1529, around the [[franciscan]] [[convent]] whose construction probably began in the same year and was completed around 1570. |
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Some rooms still have their original decoration on the walls. |
Some rooms still have their original decoration on the walls. |
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== Calpan == |
== Franciscan convent of Calpan == |
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[[Image:Calpanfacade.jpg|thumb|225px|right|[[Facade]] of the [[convent]] of Calpan]] |
[[Image:Calpanfacade.jpg|thumb|225px|right|[[Facade]] of the [[convent]] of Calpan]] |
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The [[franciscan]] [[convent]] |
The [[franciscan]] [[convent]] of Calpan was founded in 1548. A triple [[arcade]] leads to the [[atrium]]. The sober [[facade]] of the [[church]] is decorated with sculptures, some of them represent maguey flowers. The [[atrium]] has four [[chapels]] that served as small oratories. They have floral and geometric designs on their walls and [[bas-relief]]s resembling the [[Annunciation]], the [[Last Judgement]], [[monogram]]s, etc. A seventeenth century fountain were reconstructed in the [[atrium]] after recovering its fragments that were scattered all over the town. Calpan is in the state of [[Puebla]]. |
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== Tochimilco == |
== Franciscan convent of Tochimilco == |
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Tochimilco is located on one of the slopes of [[Popocatepetl]] within the state of [[Puebla]]. A sixteenth century [[franciscan]] [[convent]] was built there. The [[church]] shows a [[renaissance]] [[facade]]. The [[portico]] lies to the right of the [[facade]] and leads to the [[cloister]] with [[arcade]]s. |
Tochimilco is located on one of the slopes of [[Popocatepetl]] within the state of [[Puebla]]. A sixteenth century [[franciscan]] [[convent]] was built there. The [[church]] shows a [[renaissance]] [[facade]]. The [[portico]] lies to the right of the [[facade]] and leads to the [[cloister]] with [[arcade]]s. |
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Revision as of 01:37, 5 June 2007
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
| Facade of the church of the dominican convent of Tepoztlan | |
| Criteria | Cultural: ii, iv |
| Reference | 702 |
| Inscription | 1994 (18th Session) |
There are several monasteries near the Popocatépetl volcano in central Mexico which were built in the 16th-century by members of the Franciscan, Dominican and Augustinian orders. They were a major factor in the Christianization of a very large population over a vast territory and in a short period of time. They are located in the municipalities of Atlatlauhcan, Cuernavaca, Hueyapan, Tetela del Volcán, Yautepec, Ocuituco, Tepoztlán, Tlayacapan, Totolapan, Yecapixtla and Zacualpan de Amilpas in the state of Morelos; and in the municipalities of Calpan, Huexotzingo and Tochimilco in the state of Puebla; all of these are within sight of Popocatépetl.
In 1994 these monasteries were placed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, as the fourteenth Mexican site to receive such recognition. (There are currently 26 World Heritage Sites in Mexico and 2 more under consideration for inclusion in the list.)
These monasteries are impressive in their structural austerity, with the main buildings box shaped and of imposing height, often overlooking the local habitations. Additionally, the buildings are surrounded with turreted strongwalls, giving an even more imposing air.
Dominican convent of Tepoztlan
Tepoztlan is a picturesque town located in the state of Morelos. It was occupied by the Spanish in 1521. Later on, the dominicans came and founded a convent used for christianizing the indians.
The old dominican convent has been made into a museum. This convent was constructed between 1559 and 1580, was dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and looks like a fortress. The church was finished in 1588. This building still conserves its original frescoes on the walls that show designs related to Catholicism.
The facade of the church was built in plateresque style and has, on both sides, buttresses that support the towers (reconstructed after an earthquake that caused damage to them in 1839). There are different religious symbols above the door: sculptures that represent the Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus between two saints (Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Siena) and two angels holding a screen where there was surely a carved inscription.
The one nave church ends in an apse preceded by a vault showing ogival ribs. The church leads to the cloister made up by two floors. The rooms that used the community (on the second floor) and the cells (on the first floor) are situated around the cloister. A carved cross that dates from the sixteenth century can be found to the right of the church.
Cuernavaca is the capital of the state of Morelos. Its cathedral belongs to this World Heritage Site. Its construction began in 1533 to serve as a shrine to the adjacent franciscan convent. There is an open chapel with vaults with gothic ribs built between 1536 and 1538 next to the cathedral. It is still possible to see pieces of mural paintings from the sixteenth century in the cloister of the convent. The chapel of the Third Order whose facade was built in baroque style and which has a beautiful altarpiece made of carved wood is located in the atrium.
Augustinian convent of Atlatlauhcan
Atlatlauhcan is a town in the state of Morelos where an augustinian convent was built between 1570 and 1600. The church is preceded by a large atrium with two small chapels; the facade of the temple has a bell gable above. There is an open chapel to the left, behind which a high tower was constructed. It has a portico that leads to the cloister whose vaults are decorated with hexagonal coffering that are painted with frescoes.
Augustinian and franciscan convent of Yecapixtla
Yecapixtla is a municipality in the state of Morelos. The franciscans came in 1525 and built a modest chapel which was later replaced with the imposing convent-fortress whose construction was led by the augustinian Jorge de Avila. The church is preceded by an atrium in which there are chapels.
The facade of the church is sober and beautiful; the decoration includes cherubim and floral motifs. It has a gothic rose window above the plateresque facade which is sorrounded by well carved mouldings. Below the small pediment that crowns the facade there is a symbol that resembles the five wounds Saint Francis of Assisi recieved and that represent those Christ suffered during the Crucifixion; another symbol that shows arrows through a heart lies to the left which represents the Augustinian Order. The church has a stone carved pulpit that dates from the sixteenth century and a gothic cupola with ribs. The cloister has vigorous columns that support the arches.
Franciscan convent of Huejotzingo
Huejotzingo belongs to the state of Puebla and is 2 1000 meters above sea level, where one of the most beautiful franciscan convents is located. This convent dates back to the sixteenth century. The colonial city started to grow from 1529, around the franciscan convent whose construction probably began in the same year and was completed around 1570.
The convent has an atrium in whose centre there is a carved cross from the sixteenth century. Small oratories whose facades have a carved coat of arms and sculptures can be found on the corners of the atrium.
The church of the convent looks like a fortress, due to its height, and has a sober facade. It has only one nave with a beautiful vault with gothic ribs, specially below the quire and on the apse, in the background there is a large wonderful altarpiece (1586) built in plateresque style and decorated with sculptures and paintings made by the flemish artist Simon Pereyns who came to Mexico (where he died) to serve the third viceroy of New Spain, Gaston de Peralta. Fragments of mural paintings can be seen on one of the walls (in gray tones that imitate the relief of sculptures), the wall where the door of the sacristy lies is decorated with mudejar symbols. The pulpit and the seventeenth century organ are also remarkable.
The entrance to the convent has a facade with two arches, this leads to the hall, to the chapel of the Trinity and to the cloister, characterized by its two superimposed galleries, the lower one has pieces of old mural paintings, among them, an image of the Immaculate Conception. The refectory, kitchen, sacristy, and rooms are located around the cloister. Some rooms still have their original decoration on the walls.
Franciscan convent of Calpan
The franciscan convent of Calpan was founded in 1548. A triple arcade leads to the atrium. The sober facade of the church is decorated with sculptures, some of them represent maguey flowers. The atrium has four chapels that served as small oratories. They have floral and geometric designs on their walls and bas-reliefs resembling the Annunciation, the Last Judgement, monograms, etc. A seventeenth century fountain were reconstructed in the atrium after recovering its fragments that were scattered all over the town. Calpan is in the state of Puebla.
Franciscan convent of Tochimilco
Tochimilco is located on one of the slopes of Popocatepetl within the state of Puebla. A sixteenth century franciscan convent was built there. The church shows a renaissance facade. The portico lies to the right of the facade and leads to the cloister with arcades.
External Links
Advisory Body Evaluation: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/702.pdf
Decision: Report of the 18th Session of the Committhee: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcom94.htm#702
San Luis Potosi can be declared as World Heritage: http://www.sanluispotosi.gob.mx/en/ver_noticia.cfm?id=6982
San Miguel de Allende. Candidate to be declared World Heritage: http://www.sanmiguel-de-allende.com/
The Killers 10 cosas interesantes sobre el video: http://www.universal.com.mx/noticias/agosto/22_tk.html (Spanish)